Syrian rebels have captured a range of armored vehicles and heavy equipment in the Aleppo countryside after Syrian government troops, backed by Iranian militias, fled from the area.
Among the combat vehicles seized are three T-90A tanks, considered some of the most advanced in the region. Also left behind were T-72M and T-55 tanks, Tigr armored vehicles, a 2S1 self-propelled howitzer, a BM-21 Grad multiple rocket launcher, and a BMP-1 infantry fighting vehicle.
The withdrawal of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad’s forces, notably the 25th Special Mission Forces Division (also known as the Tiger Forces) commanded by Major General Suhail al-Hassan, has led to a significant shift in the balance of power in the region. With these assets now in rebel hands, at least five modern Russian tanks are believed to be under the control of opposition forces.
The Tiger Forces, once considered a core unit of the Syrian government’s military campaign, have now seen their base overtaken, adding to the rebels’ arsenal and raising concerns about the future capability of government-aligned forces. Eyewitness reports from the scene show the rebels taking control of the abandoned armored vehicles without much resistance, as Assad’s forces appeared to have left in a hurry.
Soldiers from Assad army flee abandon their weapons and tanks. #Syria pic.twitter.com/UMHvK1rWpZ
— Tempo Dolok (@infussambas) December 4, 2024
“The regime’s withdrawal was unexpected and abrupt, leaving behind substantial amounts of military hardware,” a local source reported. The seized equipment, particularly the T-90A tanks, underscores the changing nature of the conflict as advanced Russian-supplied weaponry ends up on both sides of the battlefield.
The loss of this equipment raises questions about the ability of Assad’s forces to maintain a foothold in contested areas. Meanwhile, the rebels’ newly gained firepower could provide them with a tactical advantage in their continued fight against government troops. Observers suggest that the capture of these heavy weapons could potentially change the dynamics of future engagements in northern Syria.